They are a common sight on council estates and school quadrangles but BBC
Broadcasting House has become the latest trouble spot to erect No Ball Games
signs.

The BBC banned staff from playing ball games outside its new £1bn headquarters after complaints that employees were spending too much time playing football rather than working.

The sign has been placed just inside the entrance to the new BBC offices in London's West End, home to Newsnight, The Andrew Marr Show and 6,000 staff working in the Audio and Music and News and Vision departments.

According to insiders, the sign states that "No Ball Games" are allowed and is clearly visible to staff when they enter the building.

One source, who has worked at the BBC for 10 years, said today: "The sign went up a few months ago.

"Nobody really knew what to make of it at first as it's the kind of thing you see on council estates not the BBC."

He said the sign had been "moved several times" and that it was now positioned just beyond the entrance to the new headquarters so all staff would see it.

He added: "The sport boys at 5 Live and Match of the Day are up in Salford, so I'm not sure who it's meant for – I think it was a backlash after the Olympics when we had loads of balls floating around."

Another BBC worker, Ian Jolly, who works in the newsroom confirmed that there was a sign banning football inside the BBC, adding: "I'm glad there is a sign telling me not to play football. I had wondered."